City man receives prison sentence for home invasion

Sean Jones will serve up to 14 years for his role in a break-in that resulted in the stabbing of an occupant.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

A McKeesport man prosecutors said was the ringleader of a group who entered a Unity home, stabbed its occupant and stole money and guns was ordered Thursday to serve up to 14 years in prison.

Sean C. Jones, 22, pleaded guilty in November to charges of aggravated assault, conspiracy, robbery, burglary and theft in connection to an incident Dec. 4, 2023 that left one man with stab wounds to his leg. Prosecutors said Jones, acting on information given to him by his girlfriend, drove to Unity with four other men to commit the robbery and assault.

“It was a decision they made and had 45 minutes to reconsider alternatives to the home invasion but they stayed the course and stole guns and money,” said Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar.

According to court records, prosecutors contend Jones’ girlfriend, Kelsie Graham, and another woman were invited guests to a Unity home and scoped out the residence. Graham called Jones with information about their target, prosecutors claim.

Police said Jones and his group arrived later that night, talked about guns with the victim then ordered him to the ground and held him at gunpoint, stabbed him in the leg during an assault and took off with about $5,000 in cash and several weapons.

“I was young and addicted to really hard drugs and really made a bad decision,” Jones said before he was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger.

Jones was questioned by the judge about his involvement in the heist and denied allegations he was the group’s ringleader but conceded he and Graham had been in a romantic relationship at the time the robbery.

“Everyone just came together,” Jones said.

Krieger said he was unable to conclude whether Jones was the group’s leader but said the sentence he imposed was based on his prior record as a juvenile and the violent nature of the crimes to which he pleaded guilty.

“You drove some distance and there was premeditation. It’s troubling to say the least. You’re a smart young man and you’re wasting your potential. Life may be hard for you but it doesn’t justify violence like this,” Krieger said.

Jones was the second member of the group to plead guilty and be sentenced to prison.

Myles F. Kacin, 20, of Monroeville pleaded guilty last September for his role in the assault and robbery and was sentenced last month to six to 12 years in prison.

Charges are still pending against Antonio McMahon, 22, of McKeesport, Michael Hafner, 24, of North Versailles, Shane O’Toole, 23, of Munhall and Graham, 20, of Latrobe.